Back to School back packs

Wow, I am house cleaning, can you tell?
I found the pictures of these backpacks I made last fall for our grand daughter, Mia, and nephew, Jeffrey, when going back to school. I stuffed them full of treats and fun erasers and things for school and the little pocket on the front had money in it for them to spend on a special something for school.

They were created using Tangerine Tango CS(111349), Daffodil Delight CS(119683), Garden Green CS(102584) , Pumpkin Pie CS(105130). The DSP's are retired.
The top flap is a folded Top Note BigZ(113463) diecut that has been folded miscellaneous brads hold the flap and the pocket . The pocket is also a diecut, Scallop Envelop BigZ(113462)
Grosgrain ribbon to coordinate with the DSP also.

The template for the backpack is out there you just have to search for it then adapt or swap out the DSP and matching cardstock.

A fun project for someone special!

Hope you have had a great weekend so far!

Sharri

Saturday Sketch Challenge SSC266

I decided to participate in a challenge today! Whoohoo for me!  The sketch is from Stamping 411.
I don't usually do challenges but I have decided I will take the time to do this more often!
The supplies to make this card are :
 Stamp Sets: Reason to Smile(July Promotion set) and Embellished Events (w-126495 or c-126497) for the sentiment.
Paper: Daffodil Delight( 119683), Midnight Muse(126843), Whisper White(100730) and Summer Smooches DSP(125409)
 Ink: Midnight Muse(126861), Daffodil Delight(126944), Gumball Green and So Saffron Stampin'Write markers.
Accessories: Daffodil Delight(126872) 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon.

A very quick and easy card.

Fabulous Florets...

I have found several cards that I have yet to share with you and this is one.
It uses a retired DSP(Beyond the Garden) but any DSP could be substituted. I made this in a workshop last June and never got it posted. As anyone knows who follows this blog I am a self confessed "Caser"; this is one of those.....cased from Barb Mullikin. I changed up the ribbon but otherwise the same as Barb.
I wanted to demonstrated the 2nd and 3rd generation stamping technique that is shown on this card.
Supplies used:
Stamps: Fabulous Florets(w-123025 or c-123027),
Paper: DSP(retired) Melon Mambo(115320), Wild Wasabi(108641)
Ink: Melon Mambo(126948), Wild Wasabi(126959)
Accessories: Big Shot(113439), Petals a Plenty embossing folder(116824), Melon Mambo Grosgrain Ribbon(retired)

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharri

Retired Beauty

A case of Tiffany Bauer, I love the color of this. This is made with almost all now retired product but it could easily be stepped up to use current products. The only things current are Whisper White CS(100730), Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set(w-115370 or c-127802). The backgrounds were embossed with the Big Shot(113439), Stripes Embossing Folder(123128) and Perfect Polka Dots(117335)

I love it's simplicity!

Sharri

Mixed Blessings Mother's Day

I made several cards for Mother's Day, this was one. Cased from a fellow demo Nance Leedy. It is a very simple but pretty card.

Stamp Sets: Mixed Bunch

(w-125535 or c-125537), Well Scripted(retired)

Ink: Poppy Parade(retired), Daffodil Delight(119683)

 

Paper: Whisper White(100730); Basic Gray(121044) Just Add Cake DSP(retired)

Accessories: Basic Gray Satin Ribbon(retired); Pearl Basic Jewels(119247)
Punches: Blossom(125603),1" circle(119868), 3/4" circle(119873), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack(118309), Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer(retired), Boho Blossoms(119858)

Thanks for coming to visit today!

Sharri

Fussy Cut Florets

 I made this easel card for my mother for Mother's Day. It is a direct CASE of Sharon Burkert, a fellow demonstrator. I am not a fan of "fussy cutting" but I loved the look of this card and had to try to copy it.

Stamp Sets: Fabulous Florets(w-123025 or c-123027), Delightful Dozen(w-122650 or c-122652), Blessings From Heaven(w-123050 or c-123052), 

Word Play(w-120308 or c-120651), Field Flowers(w-126745 or c-126747)

Ink: VersaMark(102283), Old Olive126953), Tangerine Tango(126946), Basic Black(126980)

Paper: Whisper White(100730), Tangerine Tango(111349), Old Olive(100702), Pumpkin Pie(105117), Daffodil Delight(119683), Beyond the Garden DSP

Accessories: Heat Tool(129053), Embossing Buddy(103083), Black embossing powder(109133), Circle Cutter(retired), Stampin' Dimensionals(104430), Big Shot(113439), Scallpo Circle BigZ die(113468)

 Inside the card:

 I was pleased with this card. 

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful weekend.

Sharri

Pinwheel Card

 

Pinwheel Card:

Cardstock: Whisper White(104730), Pool Party(122924)

DSP:  Sweet Shop(125408) retired

Ink: Pool Party(122938)

Accessories: Big Shot (113439) , Houndstooth Embossing Folder (123134), 1 ¼” Square Punch (119865), Pool Party 3/8” Ruffled Ribbon(122975), Large(8mm) Pearl Basic Jewels(125577)

A closer look at the pinwheel....

This is also a fun card to create! 

Thanks for stopping by today!

Sharri

More Banana bags....

  Another gift bag ensemble idea using retired DSP, Enchanted from this year's Sale-a-bration and a Rose/Magnolia blossom created in Peach Parfait and Pear Pizzazz also retired as of June 1st.

Here is a close-up of the flower. Directions for this flower can be found on an earlier post here. the stamp set used on the gift tag is from a retired set.

More current but this project also has some retired product on it as well. I used the Mixed Bunch(w- 125535 or c-125537) stamp set, the embossing folder for the background is Vintage Wallpaper(120175)

I hope you enjoyed these projects, so quick and simple and a great way to use DSP as well.

Have a great week! 

Sharri

Recycling Challenge

LNS had a design challenge this past week so I had the chance to share my favorite recycle idea. We get these bags at our local grocery store with "baking" bananas in them; we eat them as we like our bananas ripened and they are cheaper. I take these bags and in 5 minutes they become.......

....an instant gift bag! I created this one using the Floral District DSP(126919). Simply cut a piece of DSP of your choice and attach to the front of the bag, covering the printed info on it.

To bring it up a notch I often will attach a clear medium envelope (102619), flap cut off with some sticky strip(104294) and slide a matching card in place.

Bag with card removed. This makes a nice easy gift bag ensemble.  The matching card was created using the new stamp set Betsy's Blossoms (w-126004 or c-126006) The ink colors used are Rich Razzleberry (126950) and Daffodil Delight (126944), Card stock colors are Naturals White, for the base,

Daffodil Delight 119683), and Lucky Limeade (122926). A small strip of the same DSP, Floral District( 126919) as was in the bag is included as well to bring it all together. The piece of Daffodil Delight card stock was run through the Big Shot(113439) in the Fancy Fan Folder(127751) for some textured interest, I used the "de-bossed" side of this. The image was stamped on a 2 inch circle cut from the Circles #2 originals die(114526) and then mounted on a  2 3/8" Lucky Limeade Scallop Circle punch(118874). A scalloped border was punched along the bottom edge of the strip of DSP with the Scallop Edge punch(119882). To finish the embellisments 3 Rhinestone Basic Jewels(119246) were added to the corner of the Daffodil Delight cardstock and finally a piece of Stitched Daffodil Delight grosgrain ribbon(126872). This project can be a quick one especially if you already have a card made and you just need to add a piece of matching DSP and clear envelope to the bag.

Have a great day!

Sharri

Thoughts and Prayers

 The last sympathy card for now....This one uses Thoughts and Prayers stamp set(w-113252 or c-127805) I also used some now retired DSP and ribbon from the SAB catalogue this year. The card stocks are Lucky Limeade(122926), Pool Party(122924) and Very Vanilla (101650). The sentiment is also from the Thoughts and Prayers set

I inked the focal image with my 2011-2013 In-Color Stampin'Write markers(123002), Then stamped onto the Very Vanilla. The flowers have been embellished with the tiniest of the Pearl Basic Jewels(119247). Finally a tiny Pool Party Butterfly from the Beautiful Wings Embosslit (118138)
With the DSP behind it is a very pretty card.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hope you enjoy a great weekend!

Sharri

Another Inspired By Nature

This card uses Inspired by Nature(111656) retired, again. The ink colors are Crumb Cake(126975) and Soft Suede(126978). The large Daisy stamp was inked in Crumb Cake ink and stamped onto a piece of Naturals White card stock(102316), next the background stamp En Francais (1095210 was inked in Crumb Cake and then stamped off once to lighten the image when stasmped; this is called Second Generation stamping; this was stamped over top of the daisy image. the sentiment from Loving Thoughts(w-125843 or c-125845) was inked up in Soft Suede and stamped over the Crumb Cake image, the edges were all sponged with Crumb Cake ink to soften them. Next a few Butterflies from Beautiful Wings Embosslit(118138) cut in Baha Breeze(111352) and Soft Suede(115318) card stocks. This was layered onto a piece of Baha Breeze card stock and then a card base of Naturals White. It was quite simple and quick to create and very pleasing to the eye as well.

Have a great day!

Sharri

Love and Sympathy

I had to make some sympathy cards a while ago, at the time the sets were all current but Inspired by Nature has since retired. The image is one of the large ones from Inspired by Nature (111656)retired it was stamped in River Rock ink (126977) onto a piece of Naturals White card stock(102316), the sentiment is from the current set Love and Sympathy (w-122795 or c-122797) this was stamped in Soft Suede Ink(126798) onto a piece of Naturals White card stock(102316) then punched out with the Scallop Oval punch(119856). two more punches of the Scallop Oval punch in River Rock creates a layer behind the sentiment. This was all layered onto a piece of River Rock card stock then that was all layered onto a piece of Naturals White card stock(102316) that had been run through the Big Shot (113439) inside the Square Lattice Embossing Folder(119976) for some interest. This was again layered onto River Rock and finally the card base of Naturals White. A pretty butterfly from the Beautiful Wings Embosslit(118138) cut from River Rock card stock(108640) was added to the grass, I love butterflies for sympathy cards, I find them to give hope of something beyond.

Thanks for visiting today!

Sharri

Retirement Card

A collegue of my husbands was retiring so I had to come up with a card for him. I used the heavier Naturals White card stock(102316) for the base and card front. The front was sponged with Early Espresso ink(119670), now retired Well Worn DSP(122359) was layered onto Early Espresso Cardstock(119686). I used the Open Sea Stamp Set(w-123030 or 123032) to stamp in Early Espresso onto the Naturals White cardstock. This was then punched out with the 2.5" circle punch(120906) and it was layered onto a 3" circle of Early Esspresso that was cut using the Big Shot and the 3" circle original die
(122125)
The sentiment is from the Occasions Alphabet (w-117090 or c-123598) stamped in Early Espresso.

Inside the card I stamped in Early Espresso several sentiments that seemed to apply to the situation. The compass is from The Open Sea set, next is from Word Play(w-120308 or c-120651) then Loving Thoughts(w-125843 or c-125845) and lastly Teeny Tiny Wishes(115370)

The pictures don't really give it justice, I was pleased with the card in the end.

Thanks for checking in today,

Sharri

Matching Envelope

The Never ending card was 6x6" square so it was a given that I would have to make an envelope to fit this odd sized card. It was easily done though with Stampin'Up's Simply Scored Scoring Tool(122334) and the Diagonal(125586) plate that goes on it.

The envelope used  piece of, now retired, Berry Blossoms DSP(122350). I used the guidelines for making an envelope that came with the Scoring tool and the Diagonal Scoring Plate.
Then I created a belly band with another piece of the DSP and some Whisper White card stock that I used the, now retired, Eyelet Border punch(119853) to create the lacy edge.

On the front of the belly band I made a larger version of the flower that was on the card, you can see that post here. I used a retired fabric brad for the center of the flower and a Whisper White flower punched from the Boho Blossom punch(119858)

I also stamped Happy Birthday from the retired SAB set Elementary Elegance onto that piece of whisper white from the card, and punched out a small tag(retired) it was layered onto an extra large tag punch(119866) This was attached to the flower with a piece of Early Espresso Bakers Twine(123124)


The finished project was beautiful if I do say so myself. I was very proud of it.

I hope you have enjoyed this project!

Sharri

Never Ending card

I have wanted to create one of these "Neverending Cards" for a long long time and I thought this was the perfect opportunity to do so. The DSP paper seemed perfect for it. I wanted it to go with the Guest book so again I used the Berry Blossoms DSP(122350) retired, Calypso Coral(122976) and Basic Black(121045) card stocks.
The tutorial for the card can be found on various forums you just need to look for it. The fun part of this card is that it opens and opens and opens returning to the front where you start again and again. To decorate this card I created a 3D flower using the Blossom Petals Builder Punch(121808) The instructions for this flower can be found here, on Mary Fish's blog post.
 The measurements for the card are 6x6 inches, it is decorated with 1.25" square punches in Calypso Coral cardstock(122976) and then 1"punches of the DSP Berry Blossoms(122350) these were then embellished with Basic Pearls(119247).

The second side of the card used the Fruit and Flowers(w-122605 or c-122607), Perfectly Penned(w-122890 or c-122892) and On Your Birthday(111664)retired stamp sets stamped with Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade and Wisteria Wonder  inks.

It is decorated with 1.25" square punches in Wisteria Wonder cardstock(122922) and then 1"punches of a piece of Whisper White card stock(100730) that was stamped randomly all over the surface, some of these were then embellished with Basic Pearls(119247).

 The next turn of the card gives us this view; again using the same colors as the second side.
Some punches using the cardstock and the flower from the retired Triple Blossom punch were randomly added as well.

The stamp sets for the center of this section is again Fruit and Flowers and Smarty Pants(115070) retired and more basic pearls.

 The last page/turn reveals this... Here the 1.25" square punches are in Lucky Limeade and the DSP is the 1" square punches.

 The sentiment comes from the set Full of Life(111500)retired. More basic pearls here too. when you open this view you are back to the start and you can keep on going and going and going....

It was fun to make and my 7yr old nephew had great fun turning and turning it.

Thanks for coming by,

Sharri

Mary's Birthday

My wonderful mother-in-law turned 80 this past May. My sister-in-law Lorraine purchased a vinyl guest book and passed it to me saying, "here I thought you could do something with this to dress it up, work your magic!" LOL

I wasn't sure what to do with it; how was I going to get things to stay on the vinyl? As you can see it was very plain! I started going through my DSP and stamps sets and I had some ideas.

This DSP from the retired paper pack Berry Blossoms(122350) became my inspiration. I paired the 2011-2012 in-colors card stocks, Wisteria Wonder(122922), Lucky Limeade(122926) and Calypso Coral(122925) along with some Whisper White(100730) with the Boho Blossoms punch( 119858), Big Shot BigzL die Fun Flowers(121812) Retired punch and the Little Leaves sizzlet(114511) to re-create this DSP on the album cover.
I made the large flowers 3D and adhered them to the vinyl cover with the Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets(120805) Some Dazzling Details(124117) added to flowers and the album cover for some bling.

I used the matching stamp set, Fruit and Flowers(w-122605 or c-122607) to create a background for the inside cover as well as the Perfectly Penned set(w-122890 or c-122892) for the Happy Birthday as well as the inks to match the cardstock, Wisteria Wonder(126985), Calypso Coral(126983) and Lucky Limeade(126984)

 Second generation stamping was used to create the background for the inner pages of the book.

I hope this gives you some ideas and that you enjoyed this project. It was actually very fun to do once I sat down to do it.

Thanks for coming by!

Sharri

Back Again!! Some personal updates.

 Well I think I have things in some semblance of order again! I have had a busy time this last 5-6 months and got way behind. I hope to get my act together and be able to share more regularly again.

We were away in February on a Panama Cruise, had a wonderful time but work was crazy to catch up with when I got back. I had a few classes offered but there were no sign ups, except for one person, I did one class with her and that was it. A bit discouraging but I really didn't persue it as things were busy with work and I just wasn't into it. There have been some things going on with family and such so I wasn't really on the ball. 

In May, we celebrated my Mother-in-law's 80th birthday with a party/open house for her and later in the month, I went up to Montreal to visit with my son and grand daughter, she had her dance/ballet recital then and it was a lot of fun. 

My sister met me there and we also had a bit of a "Girl's Weekend" we never get to spend much time together as she lives in Ontario and when she is home has lots of people to see and visit. I got storm stayed by severe Thunder Storms in Montreal for an extra day so that was an interesting thing as well.

 In June we went to London, On to celebrate my sister's 50th birthday. We had a great week starting the day before her birthday and surprising her to planning and having a party for her and her sister in law who was also celebrating her 50th the next week. there were many surprises in store for them both. We had a great time visiting and seeing many family and friends who we don't get to see very often.

Life has now seemed to settle down somewhat and I hope to get back to regular posting.

I want to thank you all for your loyalty, checking into this blog and finding it has not been updated is not good but I will try to right that now.

Thanks so much!

Sharri